Some projects start small, and then start to grow organically, until the next thing you know you’re taking a deep dive in the set design on a decades-old movie to figure out if there’s any logic to a cave structure.

My journey down this rabbit hole started with the 1989 Batcomputer sculpt by fanmadeprops on Cults3D. There are several ’89 Batcomputer files sets out there, but I chose this one because of the added stability to the “wings.” It’s not screen accurate, but the screens on the sides tend to warp without additional support. (Ever notice the collective shape of the screens is vaguely that of the bat logo?) My original plan was to print the screens and cabinets and leave it at that. But then I decided t oadd the deck underneath. After all, all that tech needs a place to house it.

At that point, I’m pulling screen grabs. That deck has plates on the side. OK, that’s not so tough. So I whipped up some “metal” plates. And then I though this would look even better if it were slightly elevated. Maybe as if it were mounted to a cave wall. So then I found myself pulling free resources of rocks and caves. I don’t recall where the cave wall I settled on came from, but it was versatile. I scaled it up, and then extracted a chunk to house the deck and tech. Then of course I had to add stairs.

In the film, the Batsuit vault is just below the deck. Why not add that? Again, multiple versions exist. I opted for the one created by Ryan Myers on Cults3D because it was a decent balance between screen accuracy and printing practicality. I used the cave walls to create a pillar, and merged the vault into that. I left a small hole in the back that allows me to drop in a small puck light to illuminate the vault interior.

Then I needed a floor to help mark the edge of the cave gorge. I digitally “flattened” a rocky surface, and then extracted the wall shapes, so it fits like a glove.

Finally, I wanted to have another cave wall with the cement pillar and pipes to add depth to photography. So I printed yet another wall.

As this project was not planned out from the start, there are some things I would do differently if I were to start over. That being said, I managed to keep most of it modular, such that I have display options. What doesn’t fit on the shelf can be stored.

Naturally, building a 1989 Batcave meant I had to cook up a Bruce, Alfred, and Vicki, too.

Most everything was printed in filament on a Bambu X1-C. A few smaller computer details were printed in resin.

Created January 2026